Refugee (The Captive #3)(62)

Closing his eyes, he suppressed a groan as he turned her, making sure she was hidden from the doorway, and Jack. “Go away.”

“Braith, it’s time to redo the vote.”

“Can’t it wait?” he demanded.

“It’s fine.” Aria pulled away from him, she wiped at her eyes as she took a step back. She wouldn’t meet his gaze, or Jack’s, as she focused on the far wall.

“Aria…”

“I’m fine Braith. I’m just worn out, it’s been a grueling road to get here and it’s catching up with me now. I’ll be fine after a good night of sleep.” He was torn. He didn’t want to leave her, not while she seemed so overcome with emotion. “Go. Go on. Give me a minute to wash up and I’ll be down.”

“Are you sure you’re ok?”

She smiled tremulously. “Fine.”

Reluctantly, he left her behind as he joined his brother in the doorway. Jack’s jaw was locked, his gaze worried as he looked to Aria. She didn’t look at either of them as she turned to the pitcher on the old nightstand and poured some water into a bowl.





***





Aria slipped one of the gray cloaks around her shoulders pulling the hood up before sneaking silently out of the house. She knew she wouldn’t make it far before Braith realized she wasn’t there, but luckily Gideon had taken up residence only two doors away. She was shaking, trembling with trepidation as she moved swiftly through the shadows.

This was the path she had always thought she would take, the path that would lead to an early death. She had not chosen this path but rather, it had chosen her. She hoped that Jack was right, that they could somehow dilute Braith’s blood in her system. It would not be a happy life without him, but as miserable as she would be, and even if she wasn’t with him, she was also excited to see how everything would turn out. She was eager to see what Braith would do as a leader, the changes he would make. She knew they would be good changes and it would be a good world for those under his leadership.

All she needed to do was focus on the people whose lives would be saved as a result of her choices. Lives that would be far better than anything she had experienced. Braith would be good, he would be kind, and he would be fair. She was willing to do everything she could to see this terrible situation through, including going to Gideon now. Hopefully Braith would eventually find a way to forgive her and move on. The possibility that he never would nearly broke her.

If Jack was wrong about being able to dilute Braith’s blood with another vampire’s, than there was only one solution, and she was certain Jack would never be willing to carry it out. Jack would not allow her to be harmed, and he most certainly would not be the one to do it.

Gideon would understand though, and though he wasn’t a bad man, she felt he would have no qualms about being the one to end her life in order to ensure peace. Swallowing heavily, gathering her waning courage, Aria took a deep breath, twisted the knob and slid silently into Gideon’s temporary house. He was in the study, the shadows and planes of his face were highlighted by the candle before him. He looked up at her as she entered.

He didn’t seem surprised to see her as she slid the hood of her cloak back. “I spoke with Jack and Ashby.”

Gideon froze for a moment, his hand curled around the pen he was holding. “I see.”

She was silent as she gathered her courage to speak. Once she uttered these words she would never be able to take them back. “I understand what needs to be done.”

Gideon placed his pen down. “You do?”

For a brief moment tears shimmered in her eyes before she blinked them back, thrust out her chin and nodded firmly. “I do.”

“He cannot know about this.”

“He never will.”

Gideon appeared lost in thought for a moment. “Your relationship cannot progress.”

She flinched; did everyone know their business? For a moment she thought her composure would crumble. “It won’t” she whispered.

Aria remained silent, watchful as the flame flickered over Gideon’s features. What was she doing here? The right thing or at least that’s what she told herself. But was it really the right thing? She was betraying Braith; she was going behind his back and plotting something that would devastate him. This was right on so many levels, but it was wrong on so many others. Guilt tugged at her heart, perhaps if she went to Braith…

She broke the thought off. He would never agree to let her go. He would never listen to reason. Jack was right, if she went to Braith and told him everything, he would take her and leave here tonight. There were so many things she loved about him; his determination, his stubbornness, and his love for her were among the things she loved most. Unfortunately, those three things completely worked against all of them right now. This was wrong, she would hate herself forever because of it, but she could live with that as long as this all worked out and Braith was able to establish the world she knew he could.

She turned away from Gideon, but her step was not so sure or as silent as she made her way to the door. “You know what this may mean for you?”

She stopped in the doorway, her head turned back as she studied him over her shoulder. “If we are unable to dilute his blood in me my death may be the only solution to separating us for good.”